Minecave – Steve Talbot and Chase Dolloff

MINECAVE

BY STEVE TALBOT AND CHASE DOLLOFF

Our goal is to create an interactive exhibit that allows the user to control and view a game while providing him or her with a unique, immersive experience.

As video games gain popularity, gamers are looking for better ways to play, not only in terms of graphics, but how the game is played. Over the years, companies have been developing means to engage gamers (e.g. the wii with Nintendo’s motion controllers, and the Microsoft’s Kinect by eliminating the need for a controller). More companies are developing newer, better ways to interact with these games. As the interest in new platforms expand, the opportunity to pursue such developing technology is greater.

We aim to provide a smooth, intuitive way to interact with games in general, with the focus being on Minecraft. Our installation will allow people to have an immersive experience. We are accomplishing this by creating a Virtual Reality cave that will immerse the user in the game, while allowing them to control it by using a gestural interface that we are creating. Our installation combines physical movement with true first-person immersion to create a better gaming experience.

This basic demo video explains the mechanics behind this year long project.

A “VR CAVE” (cave automatic virtual environment) is an enclosed environment. This was a physically and mentally demanding project, with the planning, construction/setup of the 9’x9’x9′ frame, and virtual work (coding + troubleshooting). Utilizing two short throw projector the Microsoft Kinect, Wii Balance Board + Nunchuck. We created a way to combine all these technologies together that would allow users to interact and immerse themselves in the game.